Culture

Culture

The population is primarily indigenous Afro-Descendants and settlers who migrated from other provinces (mainly Santeña, Herrerano and Veraguas) in search of land and opportunity.

The characteristic music of the people of Darién is the bullerengue, a drum dance from Africa. Groups who have migrated to the province are trying to preserve their customs and traditions which are distinct from Colombian culture. Radio stations play bullerengue; stations nearer the Colombian border favor vallenato music.

Common foods include guacho de mariscos (fish with coconut rice) and serendengue. Choca'o (stewed plantain) is a traditional drink.

Women usually wear hand-sewn dresses, while men dress for business. Primary crops grown in the province are maize, rice, plantains, bananas, cassava, yams and beans. In the Gulf of San Miguel shrimp, fish and lobster are abundant; a fishing fleet operates from Panama City. In the inland rivers of the province, fishing is mainly for subsistence. The lumber industry yields valuable woods such as cedar, balsa, balsam, mahogany and cocobolo.